BY JOY OFASIA
30 women entrepreneurs in the Solomon Islands graduated from the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs 2024 Cohort at B Natural Cafe in Honiara, marking a significant achievement in female entrepreneurship.
This momentous event marked the culmination of 13 weeks of training, mentorship, and personal growth for these aspiring business leaders.
The AWE program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and supported by the White House-led Women’s Global Development and Prosperity Initiative, was designed to equip women with the practical skills needed to establish and scale sustainable businesses. The course not only offered valuable educational resources but also focused on fostering connections and providing ongoing mentorship, ensuring that the graduates were supported every step of the way.
The AWE initiative has already made a significant impact, and as it continues to grow, it promises to be a catalyst for even more women-led businesses in the Solomon Islands. By providing the tools, mentorship, and community support necessary to succeed, AWE is not just helping women start businesses – it is helping them build legacies of lasting impact.
For many, this graduation is just the beginning, as these women take what they’ve learned and apply it to create thriving businesses that will shape the future of the Solomon Islands.
Dr. Donna Marie Wate, the Local Coordinator for the AWE program in the Solomon Islands, expressed her pride in the cohort’s achievements. In an interview with the Solomon Women’s newspaper, she emphasized that each graduate’s journey was unique and filled with its own set of challenges and triumphs.
“This is a big achievement, and each woman entrepreneur has her own unique story and testimony on how she experienced the course,” Dr. Donna said. “What we hope is that each one, after gaining knowledge and skills, can take it to the next level. Without taking action, that knowledge remains just that – knowledge. This is the main thing.”
For Dr. Donna, the success of the program goes beyond simply teaching entrepreneurial skills. It is about creating a community of women who support each other long after the course has ended. “These women will remain a community, and from here on, they will continue to support each other,” she added confidently.
One of the program’s graduates, Marisa Peppa Galo, is the owner and manager of Marie’s Kitchen Solomon Islands, a local business that has grown under her management. Marisa shared the excitement of reaching this milestone and reflected on some of the key lessons she learned throughout the course.
“One of the key lessons I’ve learned is the importance of proper financial recording for my business. It’s such an essential tool for growth and success,” said Marisa. “I’m also thrilled to have completed my business plan by the end of the program. Here’s to new beginnings and the next steps in my entrepreneurial journey.”
Looking to the future, Dr. Donna is hopeful that the AWE program will continue to empower women in the Solomon Islands, with another cohort planned for next year. “Next year, hopefully, we will have another cohort. If you are interested in becoming a woman entrepreneur, you are welcome to contact me, and we’ll start putting names together for 2025,” she announced.
Dr. Donna, who is also the founder and managing director of Mere Care Company Limited, a small local business in Honiara, has dedicated herself to supporting local entrepreneurs through her own professional practice. Her passion for community development and women’s empowerment shines through her work with the AWE program.
